Lifelines of the future Why infrastructure means much more than just technical provision

Infrastructure is omnipresent yet often invisible. It runs through our lives like vital veins. Forming the basis of our social coexistence, it is much more than just concrete and cables. On 23 and 24 May 2025, TU Braunschweig will be focusing on these lifelines at the international conference “Lifelines: Re-Imagining Infrastructures between Culture and Construction”. Drawing on contributions from the visual arts, art and architecture theory, and literary studies, experts will explore various perspectives on current and future infrastructure.

In light of the current global crises, the term “critical infrastructure” is on everyone’s lips. While this may initially conjure images of roads, bridges or power lines, the term actually encompasses much more, referring to the material and immaterial prerequisites of human life and coexistence. As part of the TU Braunschweig’s research focus “City of the Future”, the conference will therefore consider cities not only as physical structures or built spaces, but also as emotional, social and cultural infrastructures.

Roads, bridges and networks – but also feelings, narratives and memories

Professor Martin Krenn from Hochschule für Bildende Künste Braunschweig (HBK) will examine “art as critical infrastructure” and discuss interventions in historical politics, memory culture and contemporary forms of fascism. Literary infrastructures of loss and redemption will be examined by Lieven Ameel, a literary scholar from University of Tampere, Finland. Adrienne Goehler, former president of University of Fine Arts in Hamburg and former senator for science, research and culture of the State of Berlin, will give a lecture on “Hope Home • НАДІЯ”, a pilot project on alternative construction in Ukraine. The scarce common good ‘water’ will also be in focus, as will regenerative agriculture and architecture as infrastructure.

“These infrastructures have a decisive influence on our spatial, social and economic entities and communities. As a result, infrastructure has become an important topic for interdisciplinary research in recent years,” says co-organiser Professor Eckart Voigts from TU Braunschweig (Institute of English and American Studies). Infrastructure encompasses more than just material structures such as roads, railways, bridges, tunnels, water supply systems, sewage systems, and electricity and telecommunications networks. Narratives, imaginary worlds and emotions can also constitute infrastructure because they enable and sustain human action. However, in the face of global challenges such as climate change, social division and rapid technological change, the concept of infrastructure needs to be reconsidered.

The conference is organised by Professor Eckart Voigts (Institute of English and American Studies), Professor Tatjana Schneider (Institute of History and Theory of Architecture and the City) and Professor Folke Köbberling (Institute of Architecture-Related Art).

Lifelines: Re-Imagining Infrastructures between Culture and Construction

23. Mai, 11:30-18:00
    Architecture Pavilion, Pockelsstraße 4, 38106 Braunschweig
24. Mai, 09:30-18:30 Uhr
    Institute for Architecture-Related Art, Bevenroder Straße 80, 38108 Braunschweig

English is the main conference language.

Anyone interested is welcome to attend the conference free of charge.

Please send a short registration email to Professor Eckart Voigts: e.voigts@tu-braunschweig.de

Further information and the complete programme can be found on the website of the Institute of English and American Studies.